Spring unit lacing machine



Feb. 16, 1960 v. J. BERGSTROM SPRING UNIT LACING MACHINE ll Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Dec. 7, 1953 m. m E M 2 9 J n r w an TQwnw 6 f a 39 mm mm mm Q ii. i. i. i. i. i. i. i. i. I. E h w? 1/ S .N .m x w Feb. 16, 1960 v. J. BERGSTROM 2,925,099

SPRING UNIT LACING MACHINE Filed Dec. 7, 1953 ll Sheets-Sheet 2 '1 l I l IN V EN TOR.

Feb. 16, 1960 v. J.'BERGSTROM SPRING mmv LACING MACHINE '11 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Dec. 7, 1953 INVENTOR.

V. J. BERGSTROM SPRING UNIT LACING MACHINE Feb. 16, 1960 ll Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Dec. 7, 1953 INVENTOR.

if??? (Izzy Feb. 16, 1960 BERGSTRQM 2,925,099

SPRING UNIT LACING MACHINE Filed Dec. 7, 1953 ll Sheets-Sheet 5 Feb. 16, 1960 v. J. BERGSTROM 2,925,099

SPRING UNIT LACING MACHINE Filed Dec. 7, 1953 11 Sheets-Sheet 6 Feb. 16, 1960 v. J. BERGSTROM 2,925,099

SPRING UNIT LACING MACHINE Filed Dec. 7. 1953 ll Sheets-Sheet 7 INVENTOR. Z262?? ffi y i Feb. 16, 1960 v. J. BERGSTROM SPRING UNIT LACING MACHINE ll Sheets-Sheet 8 Filed Dec. 7, 1953 i Z J 0 v 4 3 5 259 w J m M J 2 J a m W 4 0 Z J m K H w M Q 5 n. n w. w Z J41 j M I J 4/ w I. If e v t M j Mimi w W x as 1/ J7 J 3 f w .J M @4 m fl W J w J 5 3 J M INVENTOR. W265?? J Zazyaimm Feb. 16, 1960 v. J. BERGSTROM 2,925,099

SPRING UNIT LACING MACHINE Filed Dec. 7, 1953 11 Sheets-Sheet 9 a 37? zm 5.6 J 1)".

IN VEN TOR.

Feb. 16, 1960 v. J. BERGSTROM 2,925,099

' SPRING UNIT LACING MACHINE Filed Dec. '7, 1953 11 Sheets-Sheet 10 Z Jim Elm);

Feb. 16, 1960 v. J. BERGSTROM SPRING UNIT LACING MACHINE ll Sheets-Sheet 11 Filed Dec. 7, 1955 INVENTOR. fig ygiram nited States Patent SPRING UNIT LACING MACHINE Victor J. Bergstrom, Chicago, 11]., assignor to Johnson Spring Cushion Company, Chicago, Ill., a corporation of Illinois Application December 7, 1953, Serial No. 396,495

17 Claims. (Cl. Mil-92.7)

This invention is directed to improvements in a spring unit lacing machine and this application is a continuation-in-part of my copending application Serial No. 17,867, filed March 30, 1948, now Patent No. 2,694,418.

The spring unit lacing machine of this invention, like the machine of the aforementioned application, is for lacing together coil springs by wire helices into a spring unit for use in mattresses, cushions and the like. Both machines comprise an elongated lower frame and an elongated upper frame, each frame including mechanism at one end thereof for forming and advancing a wire helix along the frame, a plurality of clamping jaw assemblies for clamping together the end turns of two rows of coil springs to be laced together by the advancing wire helix and a jaw operating shaft for opening and closing the clamping jaw assemblies. They both also include means for raising and lowering the upper frame and means for operating the jaw operating shafts and the helix forming and advancing mechanisms.

In operation, the clamping jaw asemblies are opened and the upper frame is lowered. The end turns of two rows of coil springs are arranged in the clamping jaw assemblies and then the clamping jaw assemblies are closed to clamp the same and the helix forming and advancing mechanisms are operated to advance wire helices about the end turns of the coil springs to lace the same together. When the lacing is completed, the helix forming and advancing means are stopped and the clamping jaw assemblies opened. Then the upper frame is raised and the laced springs removed from between the clamping jaw assemblies. The cycle of operation is then repeated until the spring unit is completely formed.

The instant invention is directed to particular improvements in this kind of machine for improving the construction and operation of the machine and the objects of this invention are directed to these improvements in this machine taken singly and in combination. Among the various improvements in this machine are an improved clutch and brake mechanism for raising and lowering the upper frame, a clutch and brake mechanism for power operating the jaw operating shafts and the helix forming andadvancing mechanisms, pins for raising the laced coil springs from the lower frame when the upper frame israised, interconnecting means for preventing closing of the clamping jaw assemblies and operation of the helix forming and advancing mechanisms when the upper frame and pins are raised, improved cutters for cutting the wire helices when the upper frame is raised and improved feeding means for the helix forming and advancing mechanisms.

Further objects of this invention reside in the de- 2,925,099 Patented Feb. 16, 1960 2 tails of construction of the spring unit lacing machine and in the cooperative relationships between the component parts thereof. 7 e

Other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reference to the accompanying specification, claims and drawings in which-- Fig. l is a front elevational view of the spring unit lacing machine of this invention;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged front elevational view of the right hand portion of the machine as illustrated in Fig. 1 with the cover plate removed;

Fig. 3 is an end view of the spring unit lacing machine looking from the right in Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a partial vertical sectional view taken substantially along the 1ine.4--4 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a partial vertical sectional view taken substantially along the line 5-5 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 6 is a partial vertical sectional view taken substantially along the line 66 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 7 is a partial vertical sectional view taken substantially along the line 7-7 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 8 is a partial vertical sectional view taken substantially along the line 8-8 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 9 is a partial vertical sectional view taken substantially along the line 9'-9 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 10 is a partial vertical sectional view taken substantially along the line 10-10 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 11 is a partial horizontal view taken substantially along the line 11-11 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 12 is an elevationalview of the upper right hand portion of the machine illustrated in Fig. 1 but taken from the rear of the machine, parts being shown in section for clarity;

Fig. 13 is a top plan view of the upper right hand portion of the machine as illustrated in Fig. l but having the housing broken away;

Fig. 14 is a vertical sectional view taken substantially along the line 14-14 of Fig. 11;

Fig. 15 is a vertical sectional view taken substantially along the line 15-15 of Fig. 11;

Fig. 16 is a perspective view of one of the clamping jaw assemblies;

Fig. 17 is a vertical sectional view taken substantially along the line 17--17 of Fig. 11;

Fig. 18 is a sectional view through one of the clampjaw assemblies but showing the clamping jaws closed;

Fig. 19 is a view similar to Fig. 18 but showing the clamping jaws opened;

Fig. 20 is a perspective view of the switch construction for stopping operation of the helix advancing and forming mechanisms and for opening the jaw assemblies;

Fig. 21 is a perspective view of the cutter mechanisms for cutting the helices after they have been laced through the end turns of the coil springs;

Fig. 22 is a vertical sectional view taken substantially along the line 2222 of Fig. 12;

Fig. 23 is an elevational view partly in section of one of the clutches; and

Fig. 24 is a perspective view of one of the pins utilized in the clutch.

Referring first to Figs. 1, 2 and 3, the spring unit lacing v is adapted to be raised and lowered with respect to the lower frame. The lower frame carries a plurality of upwardly facing clamping jaw assemblies 14 which are adapted to be longitudinally adjustably positioned along the lower frame. In a like manner, the elongated upper frame 13 carries a plurality of downwardly facing clamping jaw assemblies 15 which are likewise adapted to be longitudinally positioned along the upper frame.

The lower frame carries atone end a, wire helix forming and'advancing mechanism 16 and likewise at thecorresponding end of the upper frame 13 there is also carried a similar wire helix forming and advancing mechanism 17. These mechanisms 16, and 17 operate to form and advance helices alongthe lower and uper frames for the purposes of lacing together coil springs clamped in position by the clamping jaw assemblies :14 and 15 of the lower and upper frames.

A sourceof power in the form of an electric motorle is supported on the supporting standard 11 and it operates through a clutch 19 for raising and lowering the upper frame 13 and through a clutch20 for opening and closing the clamping jaw assemblies and for operating the wire helix forming and advancin'g'mechanisms 16 and 17.

A solenoid 21 and a control switch 22, both associated only with the lower frame, operate to'stop the'wirehelix forming and advancing mechanism 16 and to open the jaw assemblies 14 when the wire helix has completed its travel in lacing together the lower parts of the coil springs. Similarly, a solenoid23 controlled by a control switch 24, both associated only with the upper frame, operate to stop the wire helix forming and advancing mechanism 17 and open the clamping jaw assemblies 15 when the wire helix has completed its travel in lacing together the upper parts of the coil springs.

In the operation of the machine, the clutch 19 is manipulated to lower the upper frame, at this time the jaw assemblies being opened. Two rows of coil springs are then inserted under compression in the clamping jaw assemblies. The clutch 20 is then operated whereupon the clamping jaw assemblies close to hold firmly the coil springs and the'wire helix forming and advancing mechanisms 16 and 17 automatically operate to form and advance helices through the clamping jaw assemblies for lacing together the coil springs clamped therein. When the wire helix of either the upper or lower frame completes its travel in lacing the springs together, its associated helix forming and advancing mechanism is stopped and the associated clamping jaw assemblies opened. The clutch 19 is then manipulated to raise the upper frame 13 and at the same time to cut both helices. The laced rows of coil springs are then pushed back the distance of one row. The clutch 19 is then again manipulated to lower the upper frame 13 so that the machine is conditioned for the reception of another row of coil springs to be laced to the pre vious row. The foregoing sequences of operation are repeated until the desired size spring unit is obtained.

The supporting frame 11 carries a front panel which in turn carries a starting box 25 which is connected by electrical conduits to the electric motor 18, the solenoids 21 and 23 and the switches 22and 24. In this way, electrical energy under the control of the starting box 25 is supplied to the electric motor 18 and the solenoids 21 and 23,. and the solenoids 21 and 23 are controlled by the switches 22 and 24.

The supporting standard 11 includes end frames 30 and 31 and an auxiliary frame 33 carried by the supporting standardll supports the electric motor 18. The electric motor 18 drives a pinion 34 meshing witln a gear 35 keyed to. a shaft 36. The shaft 36 carries 'a, sprocket wheel '37 .whichis connected by a'chain 38 to a sprocket wheel 39 loosely mounted on, a shaft 40. The shaft 45 extends the length of the machine and is jourmaled in the erid frames 34B and 31. The clutch 19 connects and disconnects the sprocket wheel 39 with the shaft. 40 to provide rotation of the shaft 40 to 180 degrees each time that the clutch is manipulated. The left end of the shaft 40 carries an eccentric or cam 41 and the right end also carries a corresponding eccentric or cam 42, the purposes of which are to raise and lower the upper frame 13. Adjacent the cam 42, the shaft 40 carries a collar 43 provided with a cam surface for operating the cutter of the lower frame.

Referring now more particularly to Figs. 7 and 10, the clutch 19 includes a stationary member 47 secured to an auxiliary frame 46 carried by the supporting standard 11. The auxiliary frame 46 also operates to assist in rotatably supporting. the shaft 40. A cylinder 48, provided with a peripheral groove, longitudinally carries a pin 49 which is resiliently urged outwardly by a spring 65, When the I 180 degrees apart, A pair of fingers 51 and 53, pivoted at 52 and 54, respectively, ride on the peripheral groove in the rotatable member 48 for the purpose of controlling the position of the pin 49. The fingers 51 and 53 have cam surfaces on their ends for engaging a slot in the pin 49 for moving the same against the actionof the spring 65. The finger 51 is provided with an extension 55 connected by a spring 56'to a pin 57 for urging the finger inwardly. Likewise, the finger 53 is urged inwardly by a spring 59 connected between pins 58 and 60. The fingers 51 and 53 are provided with extensions 61 and 62 to be engaged by a pivoted operating member 63, pivoted at 64, and provided with a handle 66. When the handle 66 is in the neutral position as indicated in Fig. 7, the pin 49 is retracted and the rotatable member 48 ,is stationary. When the handle 66 is depressed, the finger 51 is released to extend the pin 49 so that it is engaged by one of the moving pins 50. The pin 49 and hence the rotatable mem ber 48 are thereupon rotated through 180 degrees where the pin 49 is retracted by the finger 53 so that rotation of the rotatable member48 is stopped after,180 degrees of rotation. If now the handle 66 is raised, the finger 53 is retracted to permit the pin 49 to protrude and be en-- gaged by one or the other of the pins 50. The rotatable member 48 is then rotated through another 180 degrees where the finger 51 engages the pin 49 to retract the same and stop further rotation. In this way, the shaft 44 to which the cylinder 48 is keyed, is rotated through 180 degrees upon lowering and raising of the handle 66. The rotatable member 48 is so, arranged with respect tothe cams 41 and 42 carried by the shaft40that upon raising the handle 66 the upper frame 13 is raised and upon lowering the handle 66 the upper frame is lowered.

The elongated lower frame 12 includes end pieces 7% and 71 carrying a pair of shafts 72 and 73 therebetween. The and pieces F0 and ll are secured to the end frames and 31 and hence to the supporting standard 11 and the shaft 2 is rigidly secured inthese end pieces. The shaft 73 is permitted to rotate in the end pieces and is journaledfor rotation therein. In a like manner, the upper frame 13 includes end pieces Hand 75 withshafts 76 and '1" 7, extending therebetween. The shaft 76 is rigidly secured in the end pieces '74 and 75 and the. shaft77 is journaled for rotation therein. V

The end piece 74 of the upper frame receives and is secured to two depending shafts 78 and 79 which extend through holes 86 and 81 in the end piece 70 of the lower frame 12. These shafts 78 and 79 terminate in a yoke 82 provided with a cam follower in the forrnof a roller 33 engagingthe eccentric or cam '41. In a like manner, the end piece 75 of the'upper frame carries depending shafts 86. and 87- extending downwardly through holes 88 and 89 in the end piece 71 of the lower frame and terminating in a yoke 96 carrying a cam follower in the form of a roller engaging the.cam or eccentric 42 When the shaft 4% is rotated to the position shown in Figs. 3 and .4, the earns 41 and 42 allow the upper frame to be lowered and when the shaft is rotated through 180 degrees the cams 41 and 42 raise the upper frame to the upper position. In this way, the earns 41 and 42, the yokes 82 and and the vertical shafts form a lifting mechanism for raising and lowering the upper frame 13, which raising and lowering is controlled by the clutch 19.

The shaft 36 which drives the sprocket 37 also carries a beveled gear meshing with a beveled gear 96secured to a vertical shaft 97 for driving the wire helix forming and advancing mechanisms 16 and 17. Referring more particularly to Figs. 11 and 14, the wire helix forming and advancing mechanism 16 for the lower frame includes a housing 98 provided with a pair of vertical bores 99 and 100. A hearing sleeve 101 is rotatably journaled on the shaft 97 and carries a sleeve 102 which is secured by screws 103 to a feed roll 104 having a pair of peripheral feeding grooves 105. The sleeve 102 is secured by pins 106 to a sleeve 107 having a flange 121 and a pair of vertical slots 108 forreceiving a pair of dogs 109. The dogs 109 are secured in holes 110 in the flange 111 of a sleeve 112. A rim 113 is secured to the upper end of the sleeve 112 by set screws 114 to provide a race between the rim 113 and the flange 111 for receiving a rim 115 carrying a pair of pins 116 extending outwardly into the bifurcated ends 117 of a pair of levers 118 which are secured by pins 119 to a shaft 120. The flange 121 of the sleeve 107 is secured by screws 122 to a gear 123. Located within the sleeve 107 is a collar 124 secured by a pin 125 to the shaft 97 and the collar 124 is provided with a pair of ears 126 adapted to engage the dogs 109.

The gear 123 meshes with a gear 128 mounted on a shaft 130 by means of a pin 129. The shaft 130-is journaled in a bearing 131 and is provided with a flange 132 adjacent its upper end which is connected by a pin 133 to a feed roll 134 having feeding grooves 135. A nut 136 on the end of shaft 130 secures the feed roll 134 to the shaft. The bearing 131 is carried in a sleeve 137 which is laterally movable in the bore 100. A screw 138 adjustably controls the position of a member 139 and a compression spring 140 is located between the member 139 and the sleeve 137. The spring 140 operates to urge the feed roller 134 toward the feed roller 104. By manipulating the screw 138 the amount of this resilient force may be varied at will for controlling the gripping action by the feed rollers 104 and 134 on the wire fed through the feeding grooves 105 and 135. In this way, accurate feeding of the wire may be brought about. The shaft 120 is journaled in the end piece 71 of the lower frame and also in a bracket 141.

When the parts are in the position shown in Fig. 14, the

- shaft 97 is rotating, but since the dogs 109 are downwardly located, the remaining parts are stationary. When the shaft 120 is rotated in a counter-clockwise direction as illustrated in Fig. 14, the levers 118 operate through the pins 116 and rim 115 to raise the dogs 109 whereupon they are engaged by the ears 126 to impart rotation to the sleeves 112 and 107. The sleeve 112 drives the gears 123 and 128, the shaft 130 and the feed roll 134. The sleeve 107 through the pins 106 and sleeve 102 drives the feed roll 104. Thus the dogs 109 and ears '126 form a clutch for driving the feed rolls 104 and 134 when they are engaged by manipulation of the shaft 120. When the shaft 120 is rotated in a clockwise direction, the clutch is disengaged and rotation of the feed rolls 104 and 134 is interrupted.

A roller 142 is carried by a screw 143, the roller being journalled for rotation "by hearing members 147 and 148. This roller 142 engages the feed roll 104 and operates to counterbalance the force of the spring 140. The housing 98 carries a bracket 150 provided with guide rollers for guiding a wire 149 into the feed grooves between the feed rollers 104 and 134 so that when the feed rolls are rotated the wire 149 is advanced. The wire 149 is advanced through a helix forming die 151. Referring more particullarly to Fig. 11, the end piece 71 is provided with a bracket 168 carrying a sleeve 169 through which the wire helix formed by the forming die 151 passes. The sleeve 169 is a hardened sleeve and operates in conjunction with a knife 275, to be explained hereinafter, for forming a cutter for severing the wire helix.

The mechanism 17 associated with the upper frame 15 for forming and advancing the wire helix along the upper frame is the same as the mechanism 16, and therefore, a further disclosure thereof is not considered necessary. In this respect however, it is pointed out that the connection between the shaft 97 and the clutch in the mechanism 17 is a slidable spline connection 125' instead of the pin connection in order to permit movement of the mechanim 17 upwardly and downwardly with respect to the shaft 97. The shaft for controlling the clutch of the mechanism 17, corresponding to the shaft 120 of the mechanism 16, has been designated in the drawings as 120. i

As seen in Figs. 3 and 11, the shaft 120 rotatably carries a lever 171 provided with a handle at one end and an extension 172 at the other end. The extension 172 is located between a pair of adjustable stops 173 carried by a lever secured to the shaft 120 so that the amount of movement of the handle required to rotate the shaft 12 may be adjusted. A spring 174 urges the shaft 128 in a clockwise direction as illustrated in Fig. 3. The lever 171 is connected by a link 175 to the armature 176 of the solenoid 21 so that when the solenoid is energized, the lever 171 and shaft 120 are rotated in a counter-clockwise direction as illustrated in Fig. 3. The shaft 120 on the upper frame is provided with the same lever and solenoid construction and like reference characters primed have been utilized for like parts.

The clamping jaw assemblies 14 of the lower frame 12 are illustrated in detail in Figs. 11 and 15 to 19. The clamping jaw assemblies include a support 180 having an extension 181 provided with a bore 182 for receiving the stationary shaft 72. The support 180 may be clamped to the stationary shaft 72 in any desired position therealong by a clamping screw 183. In this way, the clamping jaw assemblies may be longitudinally adjustably positioned along the stationary shaft 72. The support 180 is also provided with a pair of extensions 184 having bores for receiving the rotatable shaft 73. Between the exten- V sions 184 there is provided an operating arm 185 which is keyed to the rotatable shaft 73. The rotatable shaft 73 therefore also supports the support 180 and provides means for operating the arm 185 upon rotation thereof.

A stationary clamping jaw 186 is secured to the support 180 by a screw 187. A slidable clamping jaw 188 slides on the support 180 and is provided with a crew 189 locked into position by a lock nut 190. The screw 189 extends through a hole in a partition 191 carried by the support 180 and at its outer end is provided with a head 193. A spring 192 extending between the part 191 and the head 193 urges the clamping jaw 188 away from the clamping jaw 186. When the shaft 73 is rotated in the counterclockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 17 the spring 192 is overcome and the movable clamping jaw 188 is moved into engagement with the stationary clamping jaw 186. When the rotation affect on the shaft 73 is released, the spring 192 moves the movable jaw 188 away from the stationary jaw 186 and rotates the shaft 73 in the clockwise direction as viewed in Fig. -17. The screw 189 and the lock nut provide means for adjusting the position of the movable jaw 188 with respect to the shaft 73. Alignment between the clamping jaws 186 and 188 is assured by guide pins 195 extending therebetween.

The stationary clamping jaw 186 includes a semi-cylindrical bore 196 andthe movable jaw 188 is provided with a correspondingsemi-cylindrical bore 197. The stationary jaw 186 is provided with an extension 198 having a semi-cylindrical bore 199 and likewise the movable jaw 188 is provided with an extension 200 having a corresponding semi-cylindrical bore. When the clamping jaws are closed, there is therefore provided in the jaws a cylindrical bore and in the extensions a similar cylindrical bore. The cylindrical bore in the extensions is for the purpose of guiding the wire helix into the cylindrical bore in the jaws.

The stationary jaw 186 is provided with diagonal in serts 201 and the movable jaw 188 is provided with diagonal inserts 202, the inserts 201 being provided with notches 203 and the inserts 202 being provided with notches 204. The notches 203 and 204 are angular notches audit is noted that the predominant portion of the notches 203 is offset on one side of the center line of the bore while the notches 204 are predominantly offset on the other side of the center line through the bore. The purpose of the offset notches is to clamp the end turns of the coil springs in overlapping relation as is illustrated in Fig. 18. The clamping jaw 186 is provided with a guide surface 205 which is located substantially in alignment with the center line of the bore and the movable clamping jaw 188 is provided with a guide surface 206 which is offset with respect to the center line of the bore. These guide surfaces 205 and 206 are utilized for receiving the round coil springs when the jaw assemblies are opened for guiding the coil springs in proper alinement between the jaws so that when the jaws are closed, the coil spring 215 is guided by the guide surface 205 will lie above the coil spring 216 guided by the guide surface 206 when the clamping jaws are closed. In this way, movement of the coil spring 215 into the notch 204 and movement of the coil spring 216 into the notch 203 are accurately brought about. The c'oil springs 215 are those which are last inserted into the machine and the coil springs 216are those which were previously inserted in themachine.

The wire helix 219 advanced through the bore in the clamping jaws thereupon laces together the coil springs 215 and 216; The diagonal inserts 201 and 202 with their notches 203 and 204 are utilized solely for the purpose of clamping the coil springs 215 and 216 and are so' arranged that as the helix is advanced through the bore "for lacing together the coil springs they do not contact the wire helix. The notches 203 and 204 in conjunction with the guide surfaces 205 and 206 temporarily deform or distort the coil springs when the clamping jaws are closed so that the maximum number of turns of 'the wire helix encompasses the coil springs. When the clamping jaws are opened the coil springs attempt to assume their original contours thereby providing a tight joint therebetween and between them and the wire helix. In this way, squeaking and pinging of the spring unit is substantially prevented.

The clamping jaw assemblies 15 for the upper frame are the same as the clamping jaw assemblies 14 of the lower frame and like reference characters primed for like parts have been utilized. The clamping jaw-assemblies 15 are adjustably positioned on the shafts 76 and 77 of the upper frame and rotation of the shaft 77 causes opening and closing of the clamping jaws. The shafts 73 and 77 are resiliently biased toward jaw opening position. This is accomplished by means of a pin 208 carried in an arm 105 which pin is connected by a spring 209 to a pin 210 connected in one of the extensions 181, this arrangement being illustrated in Figs. 15 and 17.

The supports 180 of the clamping jaw assemblies carry guide plates 218 which are provided with suitable recesses for guiding the outer edges of the coil springs 215 so that the coil springs are retained in proper position on the support 180 before and during the clamping operation; These guide plates 218 greatly assist in the proper insertion and locationof the coil springs 215 into the'machine. The wire helix which laces the coil springs together is designated at 219. Q N

The mechanism for rotating'the shafts 73 and 77-01? the lower and upper frames and the clutches in t he wire helix 'forming advancingmechanisms 16' and-17 is illustrated in more detail'in Figs; lI- a-nd l5. Theshaft 73 f the lower frame has a collar 225 secured to it by a key 226.

. 8 1 The collar 225 carries a member or arm 227 and is'provided with a latching shoulder 228. In a like manner the shaft 77 of the upper frame has secured to it a collar 229 by a pin 230, the collar 229 being provided with a member or an arm 231' and a latching shoulder 232.

A lever 233 is pivoted to the supporting standard at one end of the machine as indicated at 234 and is provided at one end with a pair of adjustable pins 235 and 236. The pin 235 is adapted to engage the arm 227 and the pin 236 is adapted to engage the arm 231 when the upper frame is lowered. As shown more clearly in Figs. 3 and 10, the other end of the lever 233 is provided with a roller 237 which acts as a cam follower for a cam 238 secured to a shaft 239. As the shaft 239 is rotated through 360 the lever 233 is oscillated from a retracted position as illustrated in Fig. 15 to a forward position and then retracted again. The shaft 239 is rotated in steps of 360 by the clutch 20 which is shown in more detail in Figs. 6, '10, 23 and 24.

The clutch 20 includes a cylinder 240 which is keyed to the shaft 239, the cylinder 240 having anannular groove. A pin 242 is slidably received in the cylinder 240 and it is urged in one direction by a spring 243. The pin 242 is adapted to engage in a hole in a sprocket wheel 244 which is rotatably mounted on the shaft 239 and held in place by a collar 245. A chain 246 connects the sprocket wheel 244 to a sprocket portion on the sprocket wheel 39, the sprocket wheel being held in place on the shaft 40 by a collar 247. A lever 248 pivoted intermediate its ends at 249 has one end riding in the annular groove in the cylinder 240. This end of this lever 248 has a cam surface for engaging in a notch in the pin 248 for moving the pin 242 against the action 'of the spring 243. When the lever 248 is in the groove of the cylinder 240, the clutch is disengaged and hence the cylinder 240 and the shaft 239 are stationary. When, however, the lever 248 is retracted from the pin 242 the cylinder 240 is rotated by the sprocket wheel 244 through 360 whereupon the pin 242 is retracted to disengage the clutch.

The other end of the lever 248 is provided with a slot 250 for receiving a pin 251 carried by a lever 252 pivoted at 253 and provided with a handle 254. When the handle 254 is pushed downwardly the lever 258 is moved about its pivot 249 to withdraw the same from the pin 242. The handle 254 is maintained in its upper position by means of a spring 255. The lever 252 also carries a pin 256 which is received in a box cam 257 carried by the shaft 40. The cam 257 is eccentrically mounted on the shaft 40 so that when the cam is in the position shown in Figs. 6 and 10 the handle 254 may be depressed. This condition occurs only when the upper frame is in its lower position. When, however, the shaft 40 is rotated through 180 to raise the upper frame the flange on the box cam 257 lies adjacent the pin 256 so that at this time the handle 254 can not be depressed for disengaging the clutch 20.

As shown in Figs. 9 and 10 the shaft 239 is provided With a brake wheel 258 suitably secured thereto. A brake band 259 is wrapped around the brake wheel 258 and is suitably secured by a bolt 260 to the frame. A screw 261'is utilized for adjusting the tension in the brake band 259 and hence the braking effect thereof. This brake operates effectively to maintain the shaft 239 in its correct position each time that it is rotated through 360 by the clutch 20.

A brake is also applied to the shaft 40'as is illustrated in more detail in Figs. 8 and 10. Here a pair of brake shoes 263 extend about the end of the cylinder 43. These brake shoes are pivoted together and to the frame by a pivot pin 264. A pin .265 extending from one-0f the brake shoes through the other is provided with, a spring 266which applies Ispringpressureto thebrake shoes .263. interposed between the ,brakegshoes 2 63; is .;a shaft 267 having a cam surface thereon for spreading the 9 brake shoes 263 againstthe fctionof the-spring 266 for the purpose of releasing the brake. The outerend of the shaft 267 has secured thereto a lever 268 which has a cam follower or roller'269 which is engaged by a cam 262'secured to the. shaft40. When the shaft 40 and cam 262'are in the position indicated in Fig. 8, the upper frame is in its lower position and the brake isreleased. As the shaft 40 and cam 262 are rotated through 180 for raising'the upper frame to its upper position the brake remains released during the raising operation and when the upper frame is in its upper position. However, when the shaft 40 and cam 262 are rotated through the next 180 step of rotation to lower the upper frame, the brake is applied so as to prevent jarring of the upper frame during the lowering operation.

Referring again to Figs. 11 and 15 the shaft 120 which operates the clutch of the helix forming and advancing mechanism 16 carries a latch 270 provided with a latching'shoulder 271 which rests against the collar 225 by reason of the action of the spring 174 operating on the lever 171 also secured to the shaft 120. In a like manner, the shaft 120' which operates the clutch of the wire helix forming and advancing mechanism 17 carries' ashaft 272 providedwith a latching shoulder 273 which bears against the collar 229. After the upper frame is lowered and when the clutch 20 is operated to move the lever 233 to the left as shown in Fig. 15, the collars225 and 229 are moved by the pins 235 and 236 to allow the latches 270 and 272 to move inwardly so that the latching shoulders 271 and 278 thereof engagethe latching shoulders 228 and 232 of the collars 225 and 229. The collars remain latched even though the lever 233 is retracted by the continuation of the rotation of the shaft 239 through 360". This latches the clamping jaw assemblies in closed position. This operation of the latches 270 and 272 also causes rotation of the shafts 120 and 120' to engage the clutches of the wire helix forming and advancing mechanisms 15 and 17 to cause them toform and advance the wire helices 219 for lacing purposes. When the wire helix of the lower frame 12 has completed its lacing operation, the switch 22 is operated to energize the solenoid 21 whereupon the lever 171 is pulled downwardly against the action of the spring 174 to rotate the shaft 120 in a counter-clockwise direction as illustrated in Fig. 15. This rotation as pointed out above, disengages the clutch of the wire helix forming an advancing mechanism 16 to stop operation thereof and also releases the latch 270 whereupon the collar 225 and shaft 73 are rotated in a. clockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 15 for opening the jaw assemblies 14 of the lower frame. Likewise, when the wire helix of the upper frame has completed its lacing operation, the switch 24 energizes the solenoid 23 for raising the lever 171' to rotate the shaft 120' in a clock wise direction as viewed in Fig. 15. This clockwise rotation of the shaft 120 as pointed out above, dis engages the clutch of the wire helix forming and advancing mechanism 17 to stop operation thereof and also releases the latch 272 whereupon the collar 229 is rotated in a counter-clockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 15 to open the clamping jaw assemblies 15 of the upper frame. The upper frame may then be raised by manipulation of the clutch 19 so that the laced coil springs may be removed from the clamping jaw assemblies 14 and 15. When the upper frame is thus lifted, the wire helices are cut by cutters, the construction of which is shown in more detail in Figs. 11, 12, 13 and 21. The cutter for the helix of the lower frame includes a knife 275 cooperating with the hardened sleeve 169 which extrudes the wire helix. The knife 275 is carried on a plunger 276 which is suitably guided for reciprocation and the plunger carries a roller.277 WhlCh'lS engaged by the cam surface on the collar 43 mounted on the shaft .40. Thus,

, when the shaft 40 isrotated to raise the upper frame 13 the cam surface 44 engages theroller 277 to move the 10 knife across the end ,of the sleeve169 thereby cutting the wire helix of the lower frame. The knife 275 is normally retracted by a spring 274.

The cutter of the upper frame includes a knife 278 adapted to sweep across the face of the hardened sleeve 169 which extrudes the wire helix along the upper frame. The knife 278 is carried by a plunger 279 which is slidably mounted in the upper frame. The knife 278 is normally retracted by a compression spring 280.. The upper end of the plunger 279 carries a -roller or cam follower 281 which is engaged by a cam surface 282 of a sliding member 283. The sliding member 283 suitably mounted for sliding movement carries at its inner end a roller284 for engaging a cam 285 mounted on the top of the shaft97. The sliding member 283 is normally retracted by a compression spring 286. When the upper frameis in its lower position, the parts are in the position shown in Fig. 21 and the knife 278 is retracted. When, however, the upperframe is raised the roller 284 rides up the cam surface, of the cam member 285 (the cam member 285 not moving upwardly) to move the slidable member 283 outwardly. In so doing, the slidable member 283Hoperates through its cam surface 282 on the cam follower 281 to push the plunger 279 downwardly. This causes the knife 278 to sweep across the end of the hardened sleeve 169' and cut the wire helix of the upper frame. Accordingly, when the shaft 40, is rotated through to lift the upper frame 13 theeutters 275 and 278 simultaneously operate to cut the wire helices of the lower and upper frames.

The switch 22 for energizing the solenoid 21 is illustrated in more'detail in Fig. 20. This switch 22 is carried by-a bracket 290 having a flared flange 291, a switch operating lever 292 having a flared end which is pivoted at 293 for operating the plunger 294 of the switch 22. When the plunger 294 is depressed, the switch is closed. The bracket290 is carried by a. mounting bracket 295 provided with a hole 296 by which the assembly may be secured to the stationary shaft 72 of the lower frame. The switch 22 is normally maintained open and the flared ends of the bracket and switch operating lever are located in the path of the advancing wire helix 219. When the wire helix 219 completes its travel it enters the flared opening and depresses the switch operating lever 292 to depress the plunger 294 to close the switch 22 for energizing the solenoid 21 thereby stopping the advance of the wire helix. By reason of the flared construction of the bracket and the .switch operating lever, the extentof the advance of the wire helix 219 may be accurately predetermined and the wire helix may be readily removed laterally from between the bracket and switch operating lever.

Referring more particularly to Figs. 4, 15 and 17 the lower frame carries a shaft 300 which is in substantial alignment with the shaft 120. This shaft 300 is provided with a pair of arms 301 which carry at their ends a rod 302. Pins 303 extend upwardly through holes in the supporting members 180 of the clamping jaw assemblies 14, these pins 303 having eyes 304 at their lower end receiving the rod 302. A lever 305 is secured to the shaft 300 and is provided with a roller or cam follower 306 for engaging a cam 307 carried by the shaft 40. As the shaft 40 is rotated through steps of 180 the cam 307 operating through the levers 305 and 301 raise and lower the rod. 302 and hence raise and lower the pins 303. The arrangement is such that when the upper frame is raised the pins 303 are pushed upwardly between the clamping jaws 186 and 188 as illustrated in Fig. 15 in order to dislodge and raise the coil springs from between the clamping jaws 186 and 188. When the shaft 40 is rotated to lower the upper frame, the cam 307-operates to retract the pins 303 from between the clamping jaws 186 and 188. If the pins 303 remain in their raised positions when the clamping jaws 186 and 188are closed, either. the pins 303 or the clamping jaws: 186 and 188 11 would. be broken. In view of the interlock connection between the clutches 19 and 20 as described above, this contingency can not occur for it is impossible to close the clamping jaw assemblies if the upper frame is in its upperposition and the pins 303 are extended. The clamping jaws can only be closed when the upper frame is in its lower position and the pins 303 retracted.

While for purposes of illustration, one form of this invention has been disclo'sed, other formsthereof may become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reference to this disclosure, and therefore, this invention is to be limited only by the scope of the appended claims,

I claim as my invention:

1. In a spring unit lacing machine for lacing together coil springs into a spring unit comprising an elongated lower frame and an elongated upper frame, each frame including mechanism at one end thereof for forming and advancing a wire helix along the frame, a plurality of clamping jaw assemblies for clamping together the end turns of two rows of coil springs to be laced together by the advancing wire helix and a jaw operating shaft for opening and closing. the clamping jaw assemblies, means for raising and lowering the upper frame, and means for operating the jaw'operatingshafts'and the helix forming and advancing mechanisms, the improvement consisting of interlocking means connected between said last two mentioned means forpreventing operation of the jaw operating shafts and the helix forming and advancing mechanisms until the upper frame is lowered.

2. In a spring unit lacing machine for lacing together coil springs into a spring unit comprising an elongated lower frame and an elongated upper frame, each frame including mechanism at one end thereof for forming and advancing a wire helix along the frame, a.plurality of clamping jaw assemblies for clamping together the end turns of two rows of coil springs to be laced together by the advancing wire helixeand a jaw operating shaft for opening and closing the clamping jaw assemblies, means for raising and lowering the upper frame, and means for operating the jaw operating shafts and the helix forming and advancing mechanism, the improvement consisting of a normally retracted pin located in each clamping jaw assembly of the lower frame and adapted to engage the laced coil springs therein when raised, means connected to the pins and controlled by the raising and lowering means for the upper frame for raising the pins when the upper frame is raised to lift the laced coil springs from the clamping jaws of the lower frame, and interlocking means connected between the raising and lowering means for the upper frame and the operating means for the jaw operating shafts and the helix forming and advancing mechanisms for preventing operation'of the jaw operating shafts and the helix forming and advancing mechanisms when the upper frame and the pins are raised.

3. In a spring unit lacing machine for lacing together coil springs into a spring unit comprising an elongated lower frame and an elongated upper frame, each frame including mechanism at one end thereof for forming and advancing a wire helix along the frame, a plurality of clamping jaw assemblies for clamping together the end turns of two rows of coil springs to be laced together by the advancing wire helix and a jaw operating shaft for opening and closing the clamping jaw assemblies, and means for operating the jaw operating shafts andthe helix forming and advancing mechanisms, the improvement consistingof a continuously power driven shaft, means associated with the upper frame and including a shaft and earns rotated through steps of 180 for raising and lowering the upper frame, a manually controlled clutch connecting said power driven shaft and said last mentionedshaft for driving said last mentioned shaft through 180 steps of rotation, a friction brake on said last mentioned shaft for retarding rotation thereof, and

r'neans connected to and controlled by' said last mentioned ascribesshaft for applying said brake as said upper frame is being lowered.

4. In a spring unit lacing machine for lacing together coil springs into a spring unit comprising an elongated lower frame and an elongated upper frame, each frame including mechanism at one end thereof for forming and advancing a wire helix along the frame, a plurality of clamping jaw assemblies for clamping together the end turns of two rows of coil springs to be laced together by the advancing wire helix and a jaw operating shaft for opening and closing the clamping jaw assemblies, and means for raising and lowering the upper frame, the improvement consisting of a continuously power driven shaft, means associated with the jaw operating shafts and the helix forming and advancing mechanisms and includ-' ing a shaft and cam rotated through steps of 360for, operating the jaw operating shafts 'to close the jaw as-- semblies and for operating the helix forming and advancing mechanisms to form and advance the wire helices, and a manually controlled clutch connecting said power driven shaft and said last mentioned shaft for driving said last mentioned shaft through 360 steps of rotation.

5 In a spring unitlacing machinefor lacing together coil springs into a spring unit comprising anelongated lower frame and an elongated upper frame, each frame including mechanism at one end thereof for forming and advancing a wire helix along the frame, a plurality of clamping jaw assemblies for clamping together the end turns of two rows of coil springs to be laced together by a ing mechanisms to form and advance the wire helices,

and a manually controlled clutch connecting said power driven shaft and said last mentioned shaft for drivingsaid last mentioned shaft through 360 steps of rotation, and a friction brake on said last mentioned shaft for retarding rotation thereof.

6. In a spring unit lacing machine for lacing together coil springs into a spring unit comprising an elongated lower frame and an elongated upper frame, each frame including mechanism at one end thereof for forming and advancing a wire helix alongthe frame, a plurality of clamping jaw assemblies for clamping together the end turns of two rows of coil springs to be laced together by the advancing wire helix and a jaw operating shaft for opening and closing the clamping jaw assemblies, the improvement consisting of a continuously power driven shaft, means associated with the upper frame and including a shaft and earns rotated through steps of 180 for raising and lowering the upper frame, a manually controlled clutch connecting said power driven shaft and said last mentioned shaft for driving said last mentioned shaft through 180 steps of rotation, means associated with the jaw operating shafts and the helix forming and advancing mechanisms and including a shaft and cam rotated through steps of 360 for operating the jaw operating shafts to close the jaw assembliesand for'operating the helix forming and advancing mechanisms to form and advance the wire helices, and a manually controlled clutch connecting said power driven shaft and said last mentioned shaft for driving said last mentioned shaft through 360 steps of rotation.

a ncin W reh i tal a t e f m a l rality-rot clamping jaw assemblies for clamping together theend turns of two rows of coil, springs to be laced together by the advancing wire helix and a jaw operating shaft for opening and closing theclamping jaw assemblies, the im: provement consisting of a continuously power driven shaft, means associated with the upper frame and including a shaft and teams rotated through steps of 180 for raising and lowering the upper frame, a manually controlled clutch connecting said power driven shaft and said last mentioned shaft for driving said last mentioned shaft through 180 steps of rotation, a friction brake on said last mentioned shaft for retarding rotation thereof, and means connected to and controlled by said last mentioned shaft for applying said brake as said upper frame is being lowered, means associated with the jaw operating shafts and the helix forming and advancing mechanisms and including a shaft and cam rotated through steps of 360 for operating the jaw operating shafts to close the jaw assemblies and for operating the helix forming and advancing mechanisms to form and advance the wire helices, and a manually controlled clutch connecting said power driven shaft and said last mentioned shaft for driving said last mentioned shaft through 360 steps of rotation. e

8. In a spring unit lacing machine for lacing together coil springs into a spring unit comprising an elongated lower frame and an elongated upper frame, each frame including mechanism at one end thereof for forming and advancing a wire helix along the frame, a plurality of clamping jaw assemblies for clamping together the end turns of two rows of coil springs to be laced together by the advancing wire helix and a jaw operating shaft for opening and closing the clamping jaw assemblies the improvement consisting of a continuously power driven shaft, means associated with the upper frame and including a shaft and cams rotated through steps of 180 for raising and lowering the upper frame, a manually controlled clutch connecting said power driven shaft and said last mentioned shaft for driving said last mentioned shaft through 180 steps of rotation, means associated with the jaw operating shafts and the helix forming and advancing mechanisms andtincluding a shaft and cam rotated through steps of 360 for operating the jaw operating shafts to close the jaw assemblies and for operating the helix forming and advancing mechanisms to form and advance the wire helices, a manually controlled clutch connecting said power driven shaft and said last mentioned shaft for driving said last mentioned shaft through 360 steps of rotation, and a friction brake on said last mentioned shaft for retarding rotation thereof. 9. In a spring unit lacing machine for lacing together coil springs into a spring unit comprising an elongated lower frame and an elongated upper frame, each frame including mechanism at one end thereof for forming and advancing a wire helix along the frame, a plurality of clamping jaw assemblies for clamping together the end turns of two rows of coil springs to be laced together by the advancing wire helix and a jaw operating shaft for opening and closing the clamping jaw assemblies, the improvement consisting of a continuously power driven shaft, means associated with the upper frame and including a shaft and cams rotated through steps of 180 for raising and lowering the upper frame, a manually controlled clutch connecting said power driven shaft and said last mentioned shaft for driving said last mentioned shaft through 180 steps of rotation, a friction brake on said last mentioned shaft for retarding rotation thereof,

and means connected to and controlled by said last mentioned shaft for applying said brake as said upper frame is being lowered, means associated with the jaw operating shafts and the helix forming and advancing mechaa nisms and including a shaft and cam rotated through steps 360 for operating the jaw operatingshafts to close the jaw assemblies and for operating the helix forming and advancing mechanisms to form and advance the wire helices, a manually controlled clutch connecting saidpower driven shaft, and said last mentioned shaft for driving said last mentioned shaft through 360 steps of rotation, and a friction brake on said last mentioned shaft for retarding rotation thereof.

10. In a spring unit lacing machine for lacing together coil springs into a spring unit comprising an elongated lower frame and an elongated upper frame, each frame including mechanism at one end thereof for forming and advancing a wire helix along the frame, a plurality of clamping jaw assemblies for clamping together the end turns of two rows of coil springs to be laced together by the advancing wire helix and a jaw operating shaft for opening and closing the clamping jaw assemblies, and means for operating the jaw operating shafts and the helix forming and advancing mechanisms, the improvement consisting of a normally retracted pin located in each clamping jaw assembly of the lower frame and adapted to engage the laced coil springs therein when raised, means connected to the pins and including a rod for raising and lowering the pins for lifting the laced coil springs from the clamping jaws of the lower frame, a continuously power driven shaft, means associated with the upper frame and the rod and including a shaft and earns rotated through steps of 180 for raising and low ering the upper frame and, foroperating the rod to raise and lower the pins, a manually controlled clutch connecting said power driven shaft and said last mentioned shaft for driving said last mentioned shaft through steps of rotation, a friction brake on said last mentioned shaft for retarding rotation thereof, and means connected to and controlled by said last mentioned shaft for applying said brake as said upper frame is being lowered.

11,. In a spring unit lacing machine for lacing together coil springs into a spring unit comprising an elongated lower frame and an elongated upper frame, each frame including mechanism at one end thereof for forming and advancing a wire helix along the frame, a plurality of clamping jaw assemblies for clamping together the end turns of two rows of coil springs to be laced together by the advancing wire helix and a jaw operating shaft for opening and closing the clamping jaw assemblies, the irnprovement'consisting of a normally retracted pin located in each clamping jaw assembly of the lower frame and adapted to engage the laced coil springs therein when raised, means connected to the pins and including a rod for raising and lowering the pins for lifting the laced coil springs from the clamping jaws of the lower frame, a continuously power driven shaft, means associated with the upper frame and the rod and including a shaft and cams rotated through steps of 180 forraising and lowering the upper frame and for operating the rod to raise, and lower the pins, a manually controlled clutch connecting said power driven shaft and said last mentioned shaft for driving said last mentioned shaft through 180 steps or rotation, means associated with the jaw operating shafts and the helix forming and advancing mechanisms and including a shaft and cam rotated through steps of 360 for operating the jaw operating shafts to close the jaw assemblies and for operating the helix forming and advancing mechanisms to form and advance the wire helices, a manually controlled clutch connecting said power driven shaft and said last mentioned shaft for driving said last mentioned shaft through 360, steps of rotation, and means interconnecting said manually controlled clutches to prevent operation of the last mentioned clutch when the first mentioned clutch hasbeenoperated to raise the upper frame and the pins. t

12. In 'a spring unit lacing machine for lacing together coil springs into a spring unit comprising an elongated lower frame and an elongated upper frame, each frame in eluding mechanism at one end thereof for forming and advancing a wire helix along the frame, a pluralityof clamping jaw assemblies for clamping together the end ne s tuati ns q tjtw l. sat re be a d to et e by the advan in ire helix' and 'a' jaw operating. shaft for opening and closing the clamping jaw assemblies, the improvement consisting of a normally retracted pin located in each clamping jaw assembly of the lower. frame and adapted to engage the laced coil springs therein when raised, means connected to the pins and including a rod for raising and lowering the pins for lifting the laced ,coil springs from the clamping jaws of the lower frame, a continuously power driven shaft, means associated with the upper frame and the rod and including a shaft and cams rotated through steps of 180 for raising and lowering the upper frame andfor operating the rod to raise and lower the pins, a clutch connecting said power driven shaft and said last mentioned shaft for driving said last mentioned shaft through 180 steps of rotation, means associated with the jaw operating shafts and the helix forming and advanching mechanisms and including a shaft and cam rotated through steps of 360 for operatingthe jaw operating shafts to close the jaw assemblies and for operating the helix forming and advancing mechanisms to form and advance the wire helices, a manually controlled clutch connecting said power driven shaft and said' 'last mentioned shaft for driving said last mentioned shaft through 360 steps of rotation, manually operated means connected to and controlling said last mentioned clutch, a 'cam on. the shaft wrich raises and lowers the upper frame, and inter-connecting means between the manually operated means, and said cam to prevent operation of the' last' mentioned clutch when the upper frame and pins are raised.'

13. In a spring unit lacing machine for lacing together coil springs into a spring unit comprising. an

elongated lower frame and an elongated upper frame, each frame including mechanism at one end thereof for forming and advancing a wire helix along the frame, a plurality of clamping jaw assemblies for clamping .together the end turns of two rows of coil springs to be laced together by the advancing wire helix and a jaw operating shaft for opening and closing the clamping jaw assemblies, the improvement consisting ofa continuously power driven shaft, means associated with the upper frame and including a shaft and earns rotated through steps of 180 for raising and lowering the upper frame, a manually controlled clutch connecting said power driven shaft and said last mentioned shaft for driving said last mentioned shaft through 180 steps of rotation, means associated with the jaw operating shafts and the helix forming and advancing mechanisms and including a shaft and cam rotated through steps of 360 for operating the jaw operating shafts to close the jaw assemblies and for operating .the helix forming and advancing mechanisms to form and advance the wire helices, a clutch connecting said power driven shaft and said last mentioned shaft for driving said last mentioned shaft through 360 steps of rotation, manually operated means connected to and controllingsaid last mentionedclutch, a cam on the shaft which raisesand lowers the upper frame, and interconnecting means between the manually operated means and said cam to prevent operation of the last mentioned clutch when the upper frame is raised.

14. In a spring unitlac'ing machine for lacing together coil springs into a spring unit comprising an elongated lower frame and an elongated upper frame, each frame including mechanism at one end thereof for forming and advancing a wire helix along the. frame, a plurality of clamping jaw assemblies for clamping togetherthe end turns of two rows of coil springs to be laeed' together by the advancing wire helix and a jaw operating shaft for opening and closing the cl mping jaw asse blies .the improvement consisting of a continuously power driven shaft, means associated with the upper. frame and in:

eluding a shaft and cams rotated through stepsjof 180 for raising and lowering the upper frame, a manually controlled clutch connecting said pflwfl j rr iven shaft and dlast mentioned shaft for driving said" last "mentioned shaft through steps of rotation, means associated with the jaw operatingshafts and the helix forming and advancing mechanisms and including a shaft and cam rotated through steps of 360 for operating the jaw operating shafts to close the jaw assemblies and for operating the helix forming and advancing mechanisms to form and advance the wire helices, a manually controlled clutch connecting said power driven shaft and said last mentioned shaft for driving said last mentioned shaft through 360 steps of rotation, and means interconnecting said manually controlled clutches to prevent operation of the last mentioned clutch when the first mentioned clutch has been operated to raise the upper frame.

15. In a spring unit lacing machine for lacing together coil springs into a spring unit comprising an elongated lower frame and an elongated upper frame, each frame including mechanism at one end thereof for forming and advancing a wire helix along the frame, a plurality of clamping jaw assemblies for clamping together the end turns of tworows of coil springs to be laced together by the advancing wire helix and a jaw operating shaft for opening and closing the clamping jaw assemblies, means including a shaft rotatable through steps of 180 for raising and lowering theupper frame, and means for operating the jaw operating shafts and the helix forming and advancing mechanisms, the improvement consisting of a cutter adjacent one end of the lower frame for cutting the wire helix after it has been formed and advanced along the lower frame, a cam on said rotatable shaft and associated with said cutter for operating said cutter when the shaft is rotated to raise the upper frame, a cutter adjacent one end of the upper frame for cutting the wire helix, after it has been formed and advanced along the upper frame, a stationary cam carried by the machine, a cam follower carried by the upper frame and engaging said stationary cam and connected to said last mentioned cutter for operating said cutter when the upper frame is raised.

16. In a spring unit lacing machine for lacing together coil springs into a spring unit comprising an elongated lower frame and an elongated upper frame, each frame including mechanism at one end thereof having a pair of wire feedingrolls for forming-and advancing a wire helix along the frame, a plurality of clamping jaw assemblies for clamping together the end turns of two rows of coil springs to be laced together by the advancing wire helix and a jaw operating shaft for opening and closing the clamping jaw assemblies, means for raising and lowering the upper frame, and means for operating the jaw operating shafts and the helix forming and advancing mechanisms, the. improvement consisting of means associated with one of the wire feedingrolls of each helix forming and advancing mechanism for slidably mounting the sametoward and away from the other wire feeding roll thereof, and adjustable spring means associated with said last mentioned means for urging said slidably mounted wire feeding rolls toward said other wire feeding rolls.

17. In a spring unit lacing machine for lacing together coil springs into a spring unit comprising an elongated lower frame and an elongated upper frame, each frame including mechanism at one end thereof having a pair of Wire feeding rolls for forming and advancing a wire helix along the frame, a plurality of clamping jaw assemblies for clamping, together the end turns of two rows of coil springs to be laced together by the advancing wire helix and a jaw operating shaft for opening and closing the'clarnping jaw assemblies, means for raising and lowering the upper frame, and means foroperating the jaw operating shafts and the helix forming and adad'vancing mechanisms, the improvement consisting of means associated with one ofthe wire feeding rolls of' each helix forming and advancing mechanism for slidably mounting the same. toward and away from the other 'wire feeding roll thereof, adjustable 'spring means associfeeding rolls, and pressure rolls engaging the opposite sides of said other wire feeding rolls to balance the force of said spring means.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,002,853 Lanning Sept. 12, 1911 1,109,067 Heylman Sept. 1, 1914 1,238,157 Letz 2 Aug. 28, 1917 18 Janda Feb. 28, 1928 Ballard June 19, 1928 Ballard Dec. 1, 1931 Gail Apr. 25, 1933 Erickson Dec. 31, 1935 Dickey Nov. 18, 1941 Saval Sept. 29, 1942 Woller Oct. 30, 1945 Dockery July 15, 1952 Starr Nov. 3, 1953 Gail Dec. 22, 1953 Bergstrom Nov. 16, 1954 

